Social prescribing. Helping you find and access non-medical support

Posted by: chrisadams - Posted on:

Social prescribing is a way to link people who have a wide range of social, emotional, and practical needs with non-clinical activities within their local community.  The process uses a social prescriber to work with patients to create a personalised support plan which can contain a variety of different options such as art classes, exercise classes, befriending services and practical help with finances and housing. 

We have a social prescriber at the surgery who works closely with the clinical team. Next time you speak to one of our doctors, let them know if you would like some support from the social prescriber.

Social prescribing link workers are particularly well-suited to working with and supporting patients facing challenges such as social isolation, unemployment, long-term health conditions, difficulties with benefits, low income, debt issues, care duty, low-level mental health concerns, or those who need help for non-clinical reasons. Social prescribing is a way to help you to have more control over your own health and find ways to improve how you feel in a way that matters to you. We can link you with other local services depending on what is going to be most helpful to you and your circumstances, for example:

  • Debt, Benefits advice, and finance
  • Befriending/Isolation and loneliness
  • Family /Bereavement Support
  • Low level Mental Health Support
  • Social Activities
  • Volunteering
  • Work, Education, and Training
  • Housing and homelessness
  • Support for Asylum seekers/Refugees
  • Domestic Violence
  • Physical Activities and Wellbeing
  • Enabling Social Connection in the community
  • Signpost to legal support